“Author Danielle A. Vann displays rare talent as a story-teller. This thrilling book series leave readers anxiously awaiting the next sequel…” Literary Classics

“This story has suspense and intrigue and in my humble opinion is written by a master storyteller. The secret in this page turning story, is in the words that are snippets of power, irresistible courage, patience, and fortitude.” Story Monster Ink Magazine

“Mystery and supernatural elements are paired with strong characterization, believable scenarios, and motives. Vann is the next up and coming author to watch for.” Midwest Review

“An enthusiastic story of action, magic, and familial secrets.” KIRKUS Review

“Danielle A. Vann has crafted an exciting, fast-paced novel for young adults. She keeps you enthralled with an electrifying story. You will not believe the ending!” Katherine Boyer, Retired Librarian and Executive Director of the North Texas Book Festival

Every family has secrets and enigmas of the past, but few have the power to break a nation, expose a centuries-old secret society, overthrow a throne, and virtually erase their very existence.

It all begins the sweltering summer of 2007 when, now fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Yale’s father, Jesse, dies suddenly, days before his birthday. Unable to deal with the crippling loss, Elizabeth’s one true constant, her grandfather Jack, packs up and leaves in the middle of the night, offering no explanation and no forwarding address. Now, many years later, Jack Yale books a flight home ready to fix what he has broken. With him is a mysterious antique typewriter intended for Elizabeth. Little do either of them know that Jack’s gift will become their greatest challenge.

Enamored with the relic, Elizabeth’s fingers ache to cradle the large black and cream keys. The minute they do, the machine responds and roars to life with an odd Whiz-Whiz-BANG! The more she types, the quicker the machine spells out heated warnings and a smoke trail of clues. With each new verse weaving a haunted tale, the reunited duo realizes that Jack hasn’t found this odd machine; it has found them.

With rudimentary leads in hand, the pair sets out for the one place they know they can trace their family’s legacy—the New York Public Library. With help, a genealogical search swiftly proves everything they thought they knew about their family has been a carefully crafted, well-documented lie, just as the typewriter suggests. As the mystery and adventure ensue, Elizabeth and Jack find themselves stealing guarded documents while dodging authorities at nearly every turn right before jumping a flight to Leiden, the Netherlands.

The minute their feet touch Dutch soil, the pair is in a race against time. Unsure who or what to trust, Jack and Elizabeth are lead into the dark underbelly of Leiden and forced to face-off with the secret society. To make matters worse, those in pursuit have taken a vow to end Elizabeth’s life if the duo dares to expose too much.  

What Jack and Elizabeth uncover challenges their most basic assumption of the past, the invention of the typewriter, and even Elizabeth’s father’s death. The ultimate goal is to remove the curse, reset history, and save their birthright.

The question is: will Jack and Elizabeth be able to carry out their mission before someone falls to the curse?